Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 4th, 2023 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Storm Slabs and Loose Wet.
rgoddard,
Avalanche Canada
A mixture of snow and rain continues to bury a layer of surface hoar.
Seek out low-consequence terrain and monitor how new snow is bonding with old surfaces.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been very few observations in our area. Expect avalanche activity to increase. To the area to the south of us there have been several size one natural and skier-triggered avalanches in recent days. Many of these were remotely triggered. These avalanches were at treeline and on all aspects.
As more snow falls and the slab stiffens, we expect the size of avalanches to increase.
Snowpack Summary
Another 10 to 20 cm of new snow and rain will be added to the up to 40 cm of new snow from this past weekend. This has buried a layer of large surface hoar. On steep south-facing slopes this surface hoar may have developed on top of a sun crust. Expect to find wind slabs at higher elevations.
The mid-pack is generally unconsolidated. A crust with sugary facets beneath it can be found just above the ground.
The snowpack is still shallow for this time of year. Average snowpack depth at treeline range from 65 to 85 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Cloudy, 10 to 20 cm accumulation of wet snow with highest amounts in the south, alpine winds southerly 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperatures -2 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy, 5 to 15 cm accumulation in some areas, alpine winds southwest 35 to 45 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with some sun in the north, up to 2 to 5 cm accumulation, alpine winds southwest 10 to 25 km/h, treeline temperatures back down to -5 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud, trace accumulation, alpine winds southerly 10 to 20 km/h, treeline temperatures -7 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Problems
Storm Slabs
Recent snow may have formed storm stabs on top of potentially weak layers. Expect human and even naturally triggered avalanches. Mixture of snow and rain could increase this reactivity.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Snow mixed with rain will put a heavy burden on the snow pack making wet loose avalanches likely.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 5th, 2023 4:00PM
